APPRECIATION AND AWARENESS OF AFRICAN AMERICAN CONTRIBUTIONS

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LOGISTICS

GOALS
Problem:
Since 1926, many Americans acknowledge the month of February as Black History Month. However, due to African American’s many contributions to our society, black history should be acknowledged and celebrated regularly… Therefore, for my PBL instructional unit, I will encourage students to gain awareness and knowledge, as well as a sense of appreciation to the many African Americans whose hard work has greatly impacted our daily lives.

Students will research and use various computer applications to create at least three (3) promotional/informational pieces (i.e. brochure, Web page, business card, PowerPoint presentation, one page report, timeline, etc.) on such African American inventors as Garrett Morgan, Lewis Latimer, George Washington Carver, Lonnie G. Johnson, and Madame CJ Walker; as well as African American scientists such as Benjamin Banneker, Dr. Daniel Hale Williams, and Dr. Charles Drew.

Students will use Microsoft Office software, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and work in small groups of two (2) to complete the activities listed above. Additionally, they will present their findings to the class.

Technology Standard(S):
Engineering and Technology; Inventions and Innovations – Georgia Performance Standards
  • ENGR-STEM2 – Students will identify the impact of engineering and technology within global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts.
Content Standard(S):
Engineering and Technology; Inventions and Innovations – Georgia Performance Standards
  • ENGR-II-5: Students will examine the impacts of inventions and innovations on society.
  • ENGR-EET-6: Students will examine and research careers in fields related to engineering and technology.
  • ELA7W3 – The student uses research and technology to support writing.

Business and Computer Science; Computer Applications I – Georgia Performance Standards
  • BCS-CA1-3. Students will use word processing and/or desktop publishing software through a variety of input technologies to create, edit, and publish industry appropriate documents.
  • BCS-CA1-4. Students will use spreadsheet software to create, edit, and publish industry appropriate files.
  • BCS-CA1-6. Students will use presentation software to create, edit, and publish industry appropriate files.

Prerequisite Skills:
  • Basic keyboarding skills
  • Basic use of Microsoft Office 2003, 2007, or 2010, including Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Publisher, or an equivalent productivity suite
  • Basic research skills, using Internet Explorer, or an equivalent Web broswer

Objectives, Outcomes, or Framing Question:
Essential Questions:
  • How have the contributions of African American inventors and scientists impacted our American society?
  • How would your life be different without a particular invention by an African American inventor?

Objectives:
  • Students will understand that technological advances are the result of the work done by a diverse group of people, many of whom were African Americans.
  • Students will understand the importance of the contributions to society by African American inventors.
  • Students will use the Internet to conduct research and locate information on various African American inventors.
  • Students will use Microsoft Word to type a research paper about their assigned African American inventor.
  • Students will use Microsoft Excel to create a timeline of their assigned African American inventor.
  • Students will use Microsoft Power Point in order to create a slide show presentation to present the findings of their assigned African American inventor.